Self‐reported health‐enhancing physical activity recommendation adherence among 64,380 finnish adults

Abstract

The Finnish recommendations for health-enhancing physical activity (PA) for adults (≥18 years) recommend: (i) ≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and (ii) activities that develop muscle strength and balance ≥2 days/week. However, adherence to these recommendations among the Finnish adults is currently unknown. This study reports on the self-reported adherence to the PA recommendations and associations with sociodemographic factors among Finnish adults. Data were used from the Finnish “Regional Health and Well-being Study.” In 2013-2014, postal questionnaires were sent to 132,560 persons, with 69,032 responding (response rate =52.1%). The weighted proportions adhering to the: (i) MVPA recommendation, (ii) sufficient muscle-strengthening activity (≥2 days/week), (iii) sufficient balance training (≥2 days/week), and (iv) Finnish health-enhancing PA recommendations (Finnish recommendations) were calculated. Associations with sociodemographic variables (eg, age, education level, self-rated health) were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses. Of 69,032 respondents, 92.6% (n=64,380, response rate =48.6%, 18-98 years) reported on their physical activity levels. A total of 31.2% (95% CI: 30.8%-31.6%) met the aerobic MVPA recommendation, 17.2% (95% CI: 16.9%-17.6%) reported sufficient muscle-strengthening activity, 6.7% (95% CI: 6.4%-6.9%) reported sufficient balance training, and 10.8% (95% CI: 10.5%-11.1%) met the Finnish recommendations. In the adjusted analysis, those with poorer self-rated health, older age, lower education levels, and those classified overweight or obese were independently associated with lower odds of meeting the Finnish recommendations. The vast majority of Finnish adults do not meet the full PA recommendations. Public health action is needed to increase PA in Finland.